Historic Triumph for Milika Nathan
Unprecedented Victory at the World Bowls Champion of Champions
In an extraordinary display of skill, Tongan bowler Milika Nathan made history on Saturday during the World Bowls Champion of Champions event held at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in Auckland. Competing under challenging weather conditions, she secured the women’s singles title, marking a landmark achievement in her career.
Nathan, who is also a dedicated teacher at Northcote Intermediate School, showcased her exceptional talent by advancing from the quarterfinals to ultimately defeat defending world champion Anne Nunes from the United States. Her powerful performance not only earned her this prestigious title but also highlighted her potential on an international stage.
Strong Competition and Challenging Conditions
Over 50 elite bowlers from 30 countries gathered in Auckland for this intense competition organized by New Zealand Bowls. The event coincided with unfavorable weather that transitioned from clear skies earlier in the week to relentless rain during weekend matches.
In reaching the quarterfinals, Nathan exhibited prowess with a commanding victory against Teokotai Jim representing Cook Islands. She continued to impress by overcoming England’s Stefanie Branfield in a tightly contested semifinal match where she rebounded to win decisively after initially trailing.
Nunes aimed for an unprecedented back-to-back championship victory and fought hard through tough matches against Ireland’s Sarah Kelly and Australia’s Lainie McGorman before facing off against Nathan in the final.
Battling Through Adverse Weather
The headline match presented both finalists with tough playing conditions; however, it was Nathan who adapted more effectively. In a thrilling showdown characterized by skillful play despite being drenched—the scoreboard reflected Nathan’s strength as she clinched victory with scores of 5-4 and 5-3.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey throughout this tournament, Nathan expressed disbelief over achieving this monumental status: “At first this week, my goal was merely making it into top eight. Each throw felt like navigating uncertain waters under pressure.”
She added how surreal it would be returning to teach unaware students about her recent success: “I never thought I’d earn such recognition; it’s almost humorous thinking I’ll walk back into my classroom next week.”
Notable Performances Throughout The Tournament
Among her fellow competitors was Niue’s Joy Preyoux—a standout athlete who remained unbeaten through several rounds—yet did not advance past initial elimination stages as other contenders rose to prominence.
As we celebrate Milika Nathan’s impressive triumph, we look forward to seeing how this achievement reverberates throughout both local communities and international bowling circles alike—her story serving as inspiration for aspiring bowlers everywhere.
